Question 1

Which geologist described the age of the Earth as ʺeternalʺ?

Accepted Answer

A)  Lamarck 
B)  Lyell 
C)  Malthus 
D)  Buffon 
E)  Aristotle 
A)  Lamarck 
B)  Lyell 
C)  Malthus 
D)  Buffon 
E)  Aristotle

Question 2

Imagine that a population of deer living on an island without any predators was threatened with overpopulation, until wolves were imported. After a couple of years, there were fewer deer, but their average running speed and the length of their legs had increased. What process accounts for the change?

Accepted Answer

A)  Genetic impossibility 
B)  Unfavorable mutations 
C)  Natural selection 
D)  Changes due to chance alone 
E)  Inheritance of acquired characteristics 
A)  Genetic impossibility 
B)  Unfavorable mutations 
C)  Natural selection 
D)  Changes due to chance alone 
E)  Inheritance of acquired characteristics

Question 3

Imagine that a biologist develops a strain of corn with a lower fat content by choosing low -fat variants and crossbreeding them over several generations. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  convergent evolution. 
B)  artificial mutation. 
C)  artificial selection. 
D)  inheritance of acquired characteristics. 
E)  natural selection. 
A)  convergent evolution. 
B)  artificial mutation. 
C)  artificial selection. 
D)  inheritance of acquired characteristics. 
E)  natural selection.

Question 4

The large, productive udders of domesticated milk goats and cows are structures that have arisen through __________.

Accepted Answer

artificial

Question 5

Insects and bats both have wings. This proves they evolved from a common ancestor.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which of these statements best illustrates the theory of catastrophism?

Accepted Answer

A)  Only extinct species appear in the fossil record. 
B)  Only plant species have become extinct. 
C)  There are no humans in early fossil records because they had not been created yet. 
D)  Species become extinct due to natural disasters, such as floods and volcanic eruptions. 
E)  The fossil record is incomplete. 
A)  Only extinct species appear in the fossil record. 
B)  Only plant species have become extinct. 
C)  There are no humans in early fossil records because they had not been created yet. 
D)  Species become extinct due to natural disasters, such as floods and volcanic eruptions. 
E)  The fossil record is incomplete.

Question 7

The theory of natural selection states that

Accepted Answer

A)  all individuals live to reproduce in each generation. 
B)  the most well-adapted individuals in their environments survive and reproduce, contributing the most genes to the next generation. 
C)  random assortment of genes results in better physical characteristics in the following generations. 
D)  only the largest and strongest individuals survive. 
E)  individuals that mutate in response to changes in their environment will contribute the most genes to the next generation. 
A)  all individuals live to reproduce in each generation. 
B)  the most well-adapted individuals in their environments survive and reproduce, contributing the most genes to the next generation. 
C)  random assortment of genes results in better physical characteristics in the following generations. 
D)  only the largest and strongest individuals survive. 
E)  individuals that mutate in response to changes in their environment will contribute the most genes to the next generation.

Question 8

Evidence that supports the theory of evolution is found in the studies of

Accepted Answer

A)  embryos, biochemistry, fossils, and artificial selection. 
B)  embryos. 
C)  fossils. 
D)  biochemistry. 
E)  artificial selection. 
A)  embryos, biochemistry, fossils, and artificial selection. 
B)  embryos. 
C)  fossils. 
D)  biochemistry. 
E)  artificial selection.

Question 9

The concept that Earthʹs present landscape is due to gradual geological processes was proposed by

Accepted Answer

A)  Aristotle. 
B)  Lamarck. 
C)  Malthus. 
D)  Buffon. 
E)  Lyell. 
A)  Aristotle. 
B)  Lamarck. 
C)  Malthus. 
D)  Buffon. 
E)  Lyell.

Question 10

Dolphins (which are mammals) and sharks (which are fish) have stiff dorsal fins projecting from their backs that help them maneuver through water. These relationships of structures to each other are best described as

Accepted Answer

A)  mutations. 
B)  homologous structures. 
C)  vestigial structures. 
D)  analogous structures. 
A)  mutations. 
B)  homologous structures. 
C)  vestigial structures. 
D)  analogous structures.

Question 11

Early in embryonic development, all vertebrate embryos have some similarities in their appearance.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Of all the possible amino acids, all living organisms make use of only the same 20 amino acids. This supports the idea that

Accepted Answer

A)  all living things are derived from a single common ancestor. 
B)  bacteria, animals, and plants developed independently. 
C)  natural selection drives evolution. 
D)  only a limited number of DNA mutations are possible. 
E)  only 20 amino acids exist on Earth. 
A)  all living things are derived from a single common ancestor. 
B)  bacteria, animals, and plants developed independently. 
C)  natural selection drives evolution. 
D)  only a limited number of DNA mutations are possible. 
E)  only 20 amino acids exist on Earth.

Question 13

Based on the way natural selection works, what is the best way to make use of antibacterial soap?

Accepted Answer

A)  Never use it because all bacteria are harmless. 
B)  Use it only when you need to be free of bacterial contamination, so bacteria will be less likely to evolve resistance to it. 
C)  Always use it because it is unlikely that bacteria will evolve to become resistant to it. 
D)  Always use it because most bacteria will cause illness. 
E)  Never use it because bacteria will evolve to become resistant to it. 
A)  Never use it because all bacteria are harmless. 
B)  Use it only when you need to be free of bacterial contamination, so bacteria will be less likely to evolve resistance to it. 
C)  Always use it because it is unlikely that bacteria will evolve to become resistant to it. 
D)  Always use it because most bacteria will cause illness. 
E)  Never use it because bacteria will evolve to become resistant to it.

Question 14

Darwinʹs theory of evolution was based on his observations during his voyage to Asia.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Provide three types of evidence (from different subdisciplines in biology) that scientists commonly use to provide support for the theory of evolution.

Accepted Answer

Fossils, comparative anatomy,

Question 16

Darwin realized that most species produce many more offspring than is necessary to maintain a constant population. The ʺexcessʺ individuals in a population

Accepted Answer

A)  die before they can reproduce. 
B)  mutate and are able to adapt to new environments. 
C)  migrate to another location. 
D)  evolve to become new species. 
A)  die before they can reproduce. 
B)  mutate and are able to adapt to new environments. 
C)  migrate to another location. 
D)  evolve to become new species.

Question 17

Mammalian appendages with similar bone structures can be used for flying, swimming, running, or grasping. These are examples of __________structures.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mammalian appendages with similar bone structures can...

Exam 15: Principles of Evolution

Which geologist described the age of the Earth as ʺeternalʺ?

Imagine that a biologist develops a strain of corn with a lower fat content by choosing low -fat variants and crossbreeding them over several generations. This is an example of

The large, productive udders of domesticated milk goats and cows are structures that have arisen through __________.

Insects and bats both have wings. This proves they evolved from a common ancestor.

Which of these statements best illustrates the theory of catastrophism?

The theory of natural selection states that

Evidence that supports the theory of evolution is found in the studies of

The concept that Earthʹs present landscape is due to gradual geological processes was proposed by

Dolphins (which are mammals) and sharks (which are fish) have stiff dorsal fins projecting from their backs that help them maneuver through water. These relationships of structures to each other are best described as

Early in embryonic development, all vertebrate embryos have some similarities in their appearance.

Of all the possible amino acids, all living organisms make use of only the same 20 amino acids. This supports the idea that

Based on the way natural selection works, what is the best way to make use of antibacterial soap?

Darwinʹs theory of evolution was based on his observations during his voyage to Asia.

Provide three types of evidence (from different subdisciplines in biology) that scientists commonly use to provide support for the theory of evolution.

Darwin realized that most species produce many more offspring than is necessary to maintain a constant population. The ʺexcessʺ individuals in a population

Mammalian appendages with similar bone structures can be used for flying, swimming, running, or grasping. These are examples of __________structures.

An Introduction to Life on Earth

Atoms, Molecules, and Life

Biological Molecules

Cell Structure and Function

Cell Membrane Structure and Function

Energy Flow in the Life of a Cell

Capturing Solar Energy: Photosynthesis

Harvesting Energy: Glycolysis and Cellular Respiration

Cellular Reproduction

Meiosis: the Basis of Sexual Reproduction

Patterns of Inheritance

DNA: The Molecule of Heredity

Gene Expression and Regulation

Biotechnology

How Populations Evolve

The Origin of Species

The History of Life

Systematics: Seeking Order Amid Diversity

The Diversity of Prokaryotes and Viruses

The Diversity of Protists

The Diversity of Plants

The Diversity of Fungi

Animal Diversity I: Invertebrates

Animal Diversity Ii: Vertebrates

Animal Behavior

Population Growth and Regulation

Community Interactions

Energy Flow and Nutrient Cycling in Ecosystems

Earths Diverse Ecosystems

Conserving Earths Biodiversity

Homeostasis and the Organization of the Animal Body

Circulation

Respiration

Nutrition and Digestion

The Urinary System

Defenses Against Disease

Chemical Control of the Animal Body: the Endocrine System

The Nervous System

The Senses

Action and Support: the Muscles and Skeleton

Animal Reproduction

Animal Development

Plant Anatomy and Nutrient Transport

Plant Reproduction and Development

Plant Responses to the Environment

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